Matt Shively, an American actor, really started gaining attention in 2016 when he landed a co-starring role on the ABC sitcom The Real O’Neals (ABC, 2016–). Born and raised in Hanford, California, Matt Shively discovered his passion for acting at a young age—specifically during his pre-teen years. It all began when he was watching his favorite actor, Shia LaBeouf, on the Disney Channel series Even Stevens (2000–03). At that moment, Matt Shively thought to himself, “Hey, I could do that too.” Seeing how excited their son was, Matt Shively’s parents decided to support his dreams by taking him to various film and TV auditions across Los Angeles.
His early career included appearances in a short film and a few music videos, but things really started to take off when Matt Shively earned his first recurring television role as Ryan Laserbeam on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP (2008–11). Over the course of the show’s run, Matt Shively appeared in 58 episodes, becoming a familiar face to fans. Unfortunately, the series was canceled in 2011. But Matt Shively didn’t let that slow him down. He kept pushing forward, auditioning constantly, and eventually secured a small but recurring part on another Nickelodeon show, The Troop (2009–2011). Once again, though, the show ended in 2011.
Over the next few years, Matt Shively stayed active in both television and film. One of his more notable roles came in 2012 when he starred in the horror sequel Paranormal Activity 4. Despite building up solid experience, it wasn’t until 2016 that Matt Shively truly hit his stride. That’s when he joined the cast of The Real O’Neals, marking what many consider his big break. In the series, Matt Shively portrays a 17-year-old high school student who’s not only a star athlete but also struggles with an eating disorder—a complex and compelling role that showcases Matt Shively’s range as an actor.
Matt Shively has appeared in a variety of films throughout his career, but one of his most well-received performances came in the 2021 movie Mark, Mary & Some Other People. This film stands out as his highest-rated work to date, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor. On the other hand, his role in Father of the Year, released back in 2018, is regarded as his lowest-rated film so far. While every actor experiences a mix of successes and challenges, these two movies represent the high and low points in Matt Shively’s filmography based on audience and critic reception.